Rivera eyes 'Chi'

Revival headed for Vegas

By CLAUDE BRODESSER

A new production of "Chicago" is headed to Las Vegas, but its star will be familiar to aficionados of the tuner. Chita Rivera, who made her name in Broadway landmarks like "West Side Story," "The Rink," "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and of course, as Velma Kelly in the original production of "Chicago," is close to a deal that would put Rivera in Velma's moccasins once more.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, in association with Warren Trepp and Mandalay Bay Inc., the tuner will park itself at the shiny new Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. It is skedded for a March 2 bow. Hal Luftig, producer of "High Society," conceived the plans for Vegas move and will serve as an associate producer.

Duncan and Vereen?

Insiders also say that Rivera may soon count Sandy Duncan and Ben Vereen among her co-stars, though it's not clear how far those discussion have proceeded or whether any deals are imminent.

Duncan had planned to co-star in "Easter Parade" on Broadway this season, but she became available when the tuner was postponed by Nederlander Organization execs after co-producer Richard Frankel Prods. balked at its $10 million-plus pricetag and its book required a rewrite from Peter Stone.

Next-door neighbor

Her would-have-been co-star Tommy Tune is across the street from the Mandalay, starring in "EFX" at the MGM Grand.

The Weisslers, in Washington, D.C., for the premiere of their new Broadway tuner "Annie Get Your Gun," could not be reached for comment. Rivera is repped by the William Morris Agency's Biff Liff.